Economics of forest production

In
Vincent, Jeffrey R.
1992 "The Tropical Timber Trade and Sustainable
Development", Science, volume 256, pages
1651-1655 (19 June 1992)
appears a readable review of recent economic analyses.
The author considers the evidence that the "boom-and-
bust export pattern [is due to] ... demand by developed
countries, high import barriers, and low international
wood prices." He finds none of these explanations
tenable: "[i]n fact, it is rooted in tropical
countries' own policies related to timber concessions
and wood-processing industries."
Another highlight: "... for every $2,200-per-year saw-
mill job generated by log-export restrictions during
1973 through 1989, the region gave up $6,100 in economic
value added and $16,600 in export earnings ..."
The author concludes that "sustainable development of a
tropical country's economy" can most readily be ap-
proached by policy rationalizations within that country.
Many of the changes will be familiar to students of
agricultural history: strengthening the tenure of "con-
cessions" in their renewability and transferability,
linking prices and values more closely, and so on.
I have crossposted this notice to soc.culture.filipino
because the subject has become so topical. Press re-
ports of President Ramos' first speeches have emphasized
themes which suggest that some of these reforms might be
imminent in the Philippines.
*Science* is generally available in even the most modest
English-speaking and/or scientific libraries.
--
Cameron Laird
claird at Neosoft.com (claird%Neosoft.com at uunet.uu.net) +1 713 267 7966
claird at litwin.com (claird%litwin.com at uunet.uu.net) +1 713 996 8546